Twenty-one percent (21%) of Americans say they live close enough to a shoreline to be impacted by hurricanes, and 39% of that group believe the federal government should be most financially responsible for areas affected by hurricanes and other natural disasters.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 28% of those living in areas affected by hurricanes believe individuals themselves should bear most of the responsibility, while 20% name local agencies.

The numbers are similar among all adults, even those who don't live in hurricane-endangered areas. Thirty-six percent (36%) say the federal government should bear the most financial responsibility for areas affected by natural disasters, while 27% say it's the responsibility of the individuals living there. Just 23% believe local agencies should be primarily responsible.

Women more than men think the federal government should be chiefly responsible. Forty-two percent (42%) of government employees agree, compared to 28% of those working in the private sector and 34% of retirees.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter.

One-in-four adults (25%) say emergency services are better prepared than last year to handle areas affected by hurricanes. That’s down from 33% who said the same in 2007. Thirteen percent (13%) say they are less prepared, while 48% think the level of preparation is about the same.

Among those who live in areas affected by hurricanes, 23% believe emergency services are more adequately prepared this year, while 17% say they are less prepared. Forty-four percent (44%) say it's about the same.

Most Americans (53%) expect there to be about the same number of hurricanes compared to past years. An even larger percentage of those who live near shorelines (57%) say the same.

Private weather forecaster WSI Corp has predicted a relatively quiet Atlantic hurricane season for 2009. Last year’s hurricane season produced 16 officially named storms.

Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it’s free) or follow us on Twitter. Let us keep you up to date with the latest public opinion news.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available to Premium Members only.